ポジティブ
pojitibu
The Japanese word for "positive" (in the sense of being favorable or desirable) is ポジティブ (pojitibu).
As a katakana loanword, ポジティブ is primarily used to describe a person's character, mindset or a way of thinking, rather than scientific or mathematical positivity.
Meaning: favorable, desirable (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
When used as an attributive adjective to modify a noun, the katakana word takes the particle な (na) to form ポジティブな. To use the word as an adverb (e.g., 'to think positively'), you add に (ni) to the end to form ポジティブに.
How do you pronounce it?
pojitibu
Did you know?
- If you are talking about a 'positive result' on a medical test, you should not use ポジティブ. Instead, Japanese speakers use 陽性 (yōsei), which is the specific term for a positive reaction in a laboratory setting.
- Because ポジティブ is a katakana loanword, it carries a modern, westernized nuance. Using the native Japanese word 前向き (maemuki), which literally means 'facing forward', is often considered more natural when discussing one's attitude toward work or life.
- The word ポジティブ is part of a growing trend of 'katakana English' used in Japanese business and self-help contexts to sound more contemporary and stylish.
Examples in context
- それはポジティブというより現実逃避だよ。That's not "having a positive outlook", that's more like escapism.This sentence is useful for contrasting a positive outlook with escapism.Tatoeba #10899538 by small_snow, translation #13065319 by end
- いつもポジティブでいようと努力してるんだ。I try to be positive all the time.This sentence shows how to express the effort of trying to stay positive.Tatoeba #8623635 by bunbuku, translation #7787342 by CK
- 「ポジティブに」言うのは簡単、やるのは大変。"Staying positive" is easier said than done.This sentence illustrates the phrase "easier said than done" using the adverbial form of ポジティブ.Tatoeba #8534669 by e4zh1nmcz, translation #11827809 by nana2capriccio
- Kōun ga tsuite iru hito wa shiawase ni narimasu. (幸運がついている人は幸せになります。)Those who have good luck become happy.
Example conversation
Kenta and Yui are discussing their approach to a difficult project at work.
- 健太 Kentaもっとポジティブな考え方が必要だね。Motto pojitibu na kangaekata ga hitsuyou dane.We need a more positive way of thinking.
- 結衣 Yuiそうだね、前向きに行こう！Sou dane, maemuki ni ikou!You're right, let's look forward!
- 健太 Kenta結衣さんはいつもポジティブで素晴らしいよ。Yui-san wa itsumo pojitibu de subarashii yo.Yui, you are always so positive and wonderful.
- 結衣 Yuiありがとう、健太さんも頑張って。Arigatou, Kenta-san mo ganbatte.Thank you, good luck to you too, Kenta.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
